May 24, 19:00UTC+3BRATISLAVARussia is ready to remove risk of loss of revenues for Slovakia in the process of gas transit, Economic Development Minister says, the Nord Stream-2 means additional transit opportunities

BRATISLAVA, May 24. /TASS/. Russia is ready to remove risk of loss of revenues for Slovakia in the process of gas transit, Economic Development Minister of Alexei Ulyukayev said after the meetings with Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia on investment Peter Pellegrini and Economy Minister Peter Ziga.

"The Economy Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister raised the issue of the Nord Stream-2. In contrast to the position of some other countries of the European Union, Slovakia's stance is artificial but well-grounded: Slovakia is a transit country, it has revenues of 700-800 million euros from transit, so it sees the risks (loss of income - TASS)".

"We are ready to ensure that these risks are removed for Slovakia, no one is going to abandon the Ukrainian transit, all existing transit agreements will be fulfilled, the contract until 2028 is valid and there is no doubt. The main European consumers and transit countries need to understand that this is not the political risks, and risks associated with the quality of Ukrainian gas transportation system, with its deep underinvestment, when risks of supply disruptions and technical disasters emerge," he said.

The minister believes that there should be diversification.

"We tell our Slovak colleagues that there is a possibility that the gas from the Nord Stream - 2 can go after Germany to the south and via Austria, Slovakia to Hungary, the Balkans - it is possible. There are projects of this kind of supplies. For Slovakia this would mean additional transit opportunities. We are ready to take into account the interests of all parties," he said.